Tony Hawk Honored at LEGOLAND

World's largest LEGO Christmas tree lit...

LEGOLAND, the family theme park in Carlsbad, created 50 new LEGO skateboard ornaments for its 30-foot tall LEGO Christmas tree in honor of skateboarding legend Tony Hawk. Hawk and two of his children pulled the switch that lit the world’s largest LEGO Christmas tree last night after he was presented with $10,000 for the Tony Hawk Foundation by LEGOLAND General Manager Peter Ronchetti.

“I really want to thank LEGOLAND California for their support,” said Hawk. “I’m really excited to be here doing this today because I was one of the first Ambassador pass members here at LEGOLAND and my family and I come here probably more than I care to admit... so if anyone needs directions or recommendations here... I got you.” Hawk was also appreciative of the newest ornaments added to the tree in honor of his Foundation. It took five Master Model Builders more than two weeks to build the LEGO skateboards and each one is created out of 250 LEGO bricks. When the Park’s Holiday Snow Days comes to an end on Jan. 2, Hawk is going to sign each skateboard and each will be put up for auction with the proceeds going to the Stand up for Skateparks benefit in 2012.

The LEGO tree is made of more than 245,000 forest green DUPLO bricks, adorned with more than 240 LEGO ornaments and surrounded by packages and LEGO friends.